Although patient education is performed regularly, the impact of how it is done is usually taken for granted. Observing dental students as they educate their patients may provide a glimpse of how dentists educate their patients in actual practice.

OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this study is to describe the various teaching strategies used by graduating dental clinicians in educating patients.

METHODS: This study documents 47 patient encounters in the Oral Medicine Section of the University of the Philippines College of Dentistry (UPCD). The Grounded Theory Qualitative Design was used. Naturalistic observation was employed, maximum purposive sampling was done, and data was continuously collected until saturation point was reached. Documentation was performed through field notes, video recording of encounters, and patient interview. Potential categories were tried out and created until a fit between data and theory was achieved. Constant comparison of recurring patterns in the manner of teaching about plaque and its prevention, particularly in three elements in the learning process as described by Gagne, namely, motivation, stimulation, and patient involvement, were observed and grouped to form generalizations. Typologies were then developed.

RESULTS: Four types of teaching strategies emerged from the study: the prescriptive, the elaborative, the responsive, and the evaluative. Though combinations of strategies were employed in each teaching element, the prescriptive approach emerged as the most dominant.

CONCLUSION: The majority of UPCD clinicians appear to be concrete explainers who only provide information and factual knowledge to patients, thereby restricting their patients' level of learning to mere recall.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Humans ; Students, Dental ; Grounded Theory ; Patient Participation ; Motivation ; Philippines ; Learning ; Oral Medicine ; Dental Clinics ; Dentists ; Documentation ; Video Recording

Background and Objectives: Periodontitis and Diabetes Mellitus are both inflammatory conditions that trigger the host response in a similar manner. The effect of uncontrolled diabetes on the progression of periodontitis, as well as the effect of periodontal health on the glycemic control of a patient, have been well documented. The need to include oral health in the management of a diabetic patient is deemed necessary. The objective of this study is to determine the awareness of the interrelationship between diabetes and periodontal disease among Endocrinologists in the Philippines and to determine whether management of a diabetic patient includes measures on maintaining periodontal health. Methodology: A 20-item self-administered survey questionnaire was distributed to endocrinologists registered in the Philippine Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism (PSEDM) Seminar and General Assembly held on September 5-6, 2015 at Sofitel Manila, Pasay City. The questionnaire was comprised of eight multiple choice and 12 yes-no questions, which combined queries on demographics, associations between diabetes and periodontitis as well as patient management. Results: Most of the endocrinologists answered that tooth brushing and flossing should be performed at a minimum of twice a day (96.6%) and that frequency of dental visits should be at least every six months (71.3%). Although most endocrinologists claimed to be aware of the manifestations of gingivitis and periodontitis, only 3.6% accurately identified the symptoms of gingivitis and 3% accurately identified the symptoms of periodontitis. Majority (79.2%) were aware that periodontal disease affects Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and that DM is a risk factor for Periodontitis (95.9%). However, only 38.6% noted periodontitis as one of the complications of diabetes. More than half of the respondents refer their patients to dentists but less than half educate their patients on oral health. Conclusion More than 90% of the Endocrinologists are aware of the bidirectional relationship of Periodontal disease and diabetes mellitus but do not clearly know the difference between gingivitis and periodontitis. In addition, the awareness is not translated to the management of diabetic patients.
Endocrinologists ; Periodontal Diseases